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Travel Q&A: What are Greece's can't-miss sites?

Washington Post travel staff

Posted:
05/29/2013 02:55:00 PM PDT

Updated:
05/30/2013 02:54:59 PM PDT

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The town of Oia on Santorini in Greece is noted for its picturesque architecture. To this day, laws protect the natural and architectural beauty of the town from modern intrusions, such as public electrical wires. (Rob Gagnon/Contra Costa Times/MCT)

Q My husband and I are planning a trip to Greece. We want a culturally focused trip, but we don't want to travel around too much, as I'll be about five months pregnant. Do you have any suggestions for an itinerary or can't-miss places?

A Of course you must start in Athens, but after that, you really can't go too wrong no matter where you go. I'd probably do a tour of the mainland and then take the ferry to Crete or Rhodes for some R&R. Or fly to one of the islands in the Cyclades group -- Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos -- which are very lovely.

Q My family is going to England in July to see crop circles in Wiltshire. Besides the obvious places like Stonehenge, can you recommend other things we should see?

A I'd want to see Salisbury Cathedral and Salisbury in general. Wilton House is a beautiful old historic manor you can tour, just outside Salisbury. Castle Combe is a lovely little postcard English village; Steven Spielberg's "War Horse" was filmed there. It has good pubs and restaurants.

Q We're taking a big driving tour of the Northeast to visit colleges in late August. We wanted to make it a vacation as well. How should we spend our time in Maine?

A I would highly recommend Boothbay Harbor. It's just north of Portland and offers lovely views, sightseeing, lobster and boating.

Q I'm staying at a B&B and wonder about tipping. My family is taking over the entire house and will include some elderly relatives who may need extra assistance. Should the owners be compensated over and above the cost of the lodging?

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A I'd give a tip if your group does indeed call upon the owners to do a little extra above and beyond.

Q I'm dying for a relaxing getaway this summer. Where do we go to chill out and do nothing somewhere beautiful?

A Vermont in the summer is lovely. Vancouver would be nice and cool, too. If you really want to chill, though, let me put in a good word for Vancouver Island. I was there last fall for just a few quick days. Fantastic, gorgeous, wish I'd stayed a week.

Q I'm planning a visit to Chanticleer Garden outside Philadelphia. Other than going into the city, what else is there to do nearby?

A There's tons to do. Valley Forge is right nearby. If you want to visit more gardens, Jenkins Arboretum is very close by, and Longwood Gardens and the Winterthur Museum and Gardens are each about 30 miles from Chanticleer. Chadds Ford, a little more than 20 miles away, has the Brandywine River Museum and the Andrew Wyeth Studio.

Q Any recommendations for sights, churches, experiences in Moscow? We're interested in history, the arts, good food, people-watching.

A You must see Red Square and the Kremlin. The Church of the Ascension and Novodevichy Convent are World Heritage Sites. Check out the Museon sculpture garden, where the statues of old Soviet leaders now rest. That should get you started.